Direct Billing for Counselling | BC Extended Health Benefit Claims
We offer direct billing with many insurance providers, streamlining the financial logistics of seeking online or in-person therapy in British Columbia.
At Vitality Collective, we aim to make starting therapy in BC more streamlined and accessible by offering transparent pricing and direct billing with many insurance providers. Our care coordinator team is dedicated to helping our clients navigate the administrative and financial aspects of their counselling so they can focus on finding clarity through their sessions.
This guide of our trusted direct billing organization and frequently asked questions surrounding extended health benefit claims in BC is just the beginning of our support. For questions and to discuss options for your personal situation, please contact our care coordinator team—we’re here to help.
What is direct billing for BC counselling services?
Direct billing ensures you can begin therapy without hesitation. Direct billing for counselling in BC allows your counsellor to submit your therapy session fees directly to your extended health care provider. If your plan covers therapy sessions with BC counsellors, our care coordinator team at Vitality Collective can process the claim for you. Our team is here to help navigate your coverage and offer transparent billing, notifying you preemptively of any remaining balance not covered by your insurance. After your therapy session, whether you choose counselling in Vancouver, Chilliwack, Surrey, or via our virtual therapy services across BC, our team will submit your insurance claim directly, minimizing the financial burden of therapy. You will receive a detailed receipt of the session, which can be used for your personal records or reimbursement if needed.
Do you offer direct billing for my extended health plan?
Vitality Collective offers direct billing for counselling with a variety of extended health care plans. Some of our trusted organizations include Manulife, GroupHealth, Sunlife, Greenshield, TELUS eClaims, WorkBC, and others. However, not all plans allow direct billing, so we recommend checking with your provider to confirm if they cover Registered Clinical Counsellors (RCCs). If direct billing is available through your extended health benefit plan, we’ll be happy to assist you in setting it up with the appropriate counsellor from our team.
What if my insurance doesn’t cover the full session fee?
Please note that some funding organizations may only cover a portion of the counselling session fee. Any remaining balance will be billed to the client as a user fee following each session. For example, if your plan only covers $100 of the session and the full session fee is $155, you would be billed the remaining $55. Vitality Collective is dedicated to providing billing transparency—if you have any questions about your specific coverage our care coordinator team is happy to look into it prior to your session to avoid any unexpected expenses.
-
Please provide all claim details to our intake coordinator at time of booking. In order to set up your first appointment, you will be requested to provide:
Your claim number
Policy maximum number of treatments
Adjuster name
Adjuster phone number
Policy end date
Injury date
-
Please provide all claim details to our intake coordinator at time of booking. CVAP limits compensation of counselling sessions to $135.00, therefore clients will be required to pay a user fee for the remainder of the session fee. Payment for the user fee portion of the session will be required at the time of session.
-
Your BCEHS representative will supply us with a services agreement. We will need the contact information of your BCEHS care coordinator.
-
Please provide all claim details to our intake coordinator at time of booking. If your policy number ends in -01 or -02, please provide the policy holder’s number ending in -00, as this is required for invoice submissions. In order to set up your first appointment, you will be requested to provide:
Your policy number
Your policy maximum (usually $500, $1,000, or $2,000)
Details about any co-payments (e.g., whether 80% or 90% of each session is covered, or if each session is fully covered).
Address
Birthdate
-
To obtain your crew discount, please provide our office with your employee ID. For more information on direct billing, please inquire with our office coordinator.
-
To obtain your discount, please have a representative from the WESN office reach out to our team. For more information on billing, please inquire with our office coordinator.
-
Your VCH representative will supply us with a services agreement. We will need the contact information of your VCH care coordinator.
-
Please provide us with the contact of your school's designated representative.
-
Please provide us with the contact of your plan coordinator.
-
Please provide us with the contact of your case manager coordinator.
-
In BC, we are able to direct bill to the following providers through Telus Health. Please provide our office with your policy number:
Alberta Blue Cross
Equitable
First Canadian (Johnston Group)
Industrial Alliance
Manulife Financial
Telus AdjudiCare
Chambers of Commerce
GroupHealth
If you believe you are eligible for Telus eClaims and you do not see your insurer listed here, please contact our office.
-
A Request to Pay form submitted to AFU. Please contact our office for further information on how to utilize AFU funding.
-
A Request to Pay form submitted to SAJE. Please contact our office for further information on how to utilize SAJE funding.
-
Please have a BCTF representative contact our office with the specifics of your referral.
-
Funding is provided through the Ministry to offer counselling support to farmers and workers in Agriculture. Please contact our office to learn how to set up billing.
-
Please have a representative contact our office with the specifics of your referral.
-
To use FNHA funding for your sessions, please provide our office with your status number. Please note that a predetermination claim must be approved before your first session. This approval process takes about 2-3 weeks after submitting your form.
-
Please have your representative contact our office with the specifics of your referral.
What information is needed to set up direct billing?
At Vitality Collective, we offer direct billing with several trusted organizations to make your therapy experience with our BC counsellors as seamless and convenient as possible. Each insurance provider requires slightly varying details in order to set up the process.
Not all of our therapists are registered providers with the above organizations. Please indicate on your inquiry form if you intend to have one of these organizations support your counselling and we will verify which of our counsellors is available to meet with you.
Happily Supporting Clients From Trusted Organizations
How much is therapy in BC?
The cost of therapy in British Columbia can vary significantly, typically falling between $100 and $235 per session. Rates are influenced by several factors, such as the therapist’s qualifications (like being a Registered Clinical Counsellor or a psychologist), their level of experience, and the type of service offered—whether it’s individual, couples, or family therapy. At Vitality Collective, our base rates are as follows, with minor variability depending on the counsellor:
Individual Session (50 min in-person or online) - $155
Extended Session (75 min in-person or online) - $215
Couples/Family Session (50 min in-person or online) - $175
Couples/Family Extended Session (75 min in-person or online) - $235
ICBC Session (50 min in-person or online) - $11 user fee*
CVAP Session (50 min in-person or online) - $20 user fee*
*Please be advised that some funding organizations only cover a portion of the counselling session fee; the remainder of our fee will be charged to the client privately after each session as a user fee.
How do I know if my insurance covers sessions with Registered Clinical Counsellors (RCCs)?
Coverage for Registered Clinical Counsellors (RCCs) can vary depending on your insurance provider and your specific plan. We recommend that you contact your insurance provider directly to confirm if RCCs are covered under your extended health plan. You may need to provide details about our credentials, and we are happy to assist by providing this information. If you need any assistance navigating your coverage, please do not hesitate to contact our team.
Is online therapy covered by insurance in BC?
While many insurance providers offer coverage for online therapy, coverage remains inconsistent across BC. As virtual therapy continues to become more widely available, we hope to see coverage continue to expand. In the meantime, our care coordination team is here to help you navigate your virtual therapy coverage with your specific provider and answer any questions you may have. At Vitality Collective, we offer both virtual therapy and in-person sessions at our clinics in Vancouver,Chilliwack andSurrey. If your insurance doesn’t cover virtual therapy, we invite you to explore care at one of our three convenient locations.
How can I file an insurance claim in BC?
If your insurance plan does not allow direct billing for BC counsellors, we will provide you with a detailed receipt after each session. This receipt will include all the necessary information for you to submit a claim to your insurance provider. The process typically involves submitting the receipt either online or via mail, depending on your provider’s procedures. If you need help with this, our team is happy to guide you through the steps.
How do I set up direct billing with my insurance provider?
When you book your first session with us, just let us know if you'd like to use direct billing through your extended health plan. We'll collect your insurance details (such as provider name, policy number, and member ID), and our team will check whether your plan supports direct billing for RCC services.
If your plan is eligible, we’ll submit the claim on your behalf, and you’ll only be responsible for any remaining balance not covered by your insurer. If direct billing isn’t available for your plan, you’ll need to pay for your session upfront and submit your receipt to your provider for reimbursement. In that case, most insurance providers will ask you to register for direct deposit by providing your banking information to process your claim.
Is therapy covered by BC Medical?
No, the British Columbia Medical Services Plan (MSP) does not cover therapy services provided by Registered Clinical Counsellors (RCCs) or psychologists. These services are considered non-insured under MSP and are typically paid for out-of-pocket or through extended health benefits. For those seeking therapy services not covered by MSP, it's advisable to check with your extended health insurance provider to determine if such services are included in your plan.
Are there any additional fees for using direct billing?
There are generally no associated fees beyond the cost of your session. At Vitality Collective, we are committed to transparent billing practices—any out-of-pocket costs or coverage details will be clearly communicated with you in advance.
What are my options if my insurance plan doesn’t cover counselling services?
If your insurance plan does not include coverage for counselling with a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC), there are still a few options to consider. If you're self-employed or a business owner, you may be able to set up a Private Health Services Plan (PHSP) or Health Spending Account (HSA) as a tax-efficient way to cover the cost of therapy. Additionally, some of our counsellors offer sliding scale rates for clients experiencing financial hardship, depending on availability. If you'd like to explore options based on your personal situation, please feel free to contact our team directly.
How do I know which counsellor is eligible under my insurance plan?
Not all of our counsellors are registered with every insurance or funding provider. If you plan to use extended health benefits or third-party coverage, please include that information on your inquiry form. Our care coordinator team will confirm which counsellors are approved under your plan and help match you with the right provider using our best-match approach to client-counsellor care.